DEL MAR: Bocce ball in the name of charity

MIKE LOWMAN - For the North County Times

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DEL MAR -- Sure it's competitive, and there was an occasional
four-letter word uttered, but throughout the Vigilucci's Beach
Bocce Ball World Championship XXIX, one common theme permeated the
scene: Raising money for the community with family and friends by
your side.

Over 300 teams and 600 participants gathered at Del Mar's Dog
Beach on Saturday to participate in the event that benefited the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad and the Del Mar Lifeguard
Association. The tournament, which consists of four men's and
women's divisions, was expected to raise a net amount of
$50,0000.

The tournament began with a small group of people in 1980, but
it has blossomed into much more.

"A bunch of guys got together and started playing bocce ball on
the beach, and we said 'let's try to do a fundraiser around a fun
event'," said tournament director John Manson, who was one of the
original seven that began the event.

Through the years it's become a tradition for families and
friends to get together on the beach and do their part for San
Diego County.

Bruce MacFarlane and Gary Barker, who have been on the Vista
Leaners for 15 years, are two of the longtime players. The pair
have taken the crown six times, with their last victory in
2005.

Because of an injury suffered by MacFarlane before the
tournament, they didn't play on the same team Saturday. Barker
played with his son-in-law Shez Sirimanne of Vista, and they won
the men's open division.

"There aren't many sports where you can compete, but also
everybody's wishing each other well," said Sirimanne. "In other
sports, people walk off with a negative feeling. It's not the case
here."

Even though it's a fun event, MacFarlane said, it's much more
than just throwing a ball in the sand.

"This game is a lot of mental strategy," said MacFarlane. "A lot
of these people out here in bare feet are probably going to end up
with burned feet in a couple hours. It's all endurance. You're out
here all day in the sun."

One person who is quite familiar with bocce ball is SteveMariucci. The NFL head coach of the 49ers and Lions from 1997 to2005 has helped organize a charity bocce tournament with John
Madden in Northern California for the past 11 years.

After watching the event for the last two years, he elected to
play with his brother-in-law Nigel Wood on Team Mooch Saturday.

"Since the economy is down, charities are suffering," said
Mariucci, an analyst for the NFL Network. "To be able to do this
and generate more money is pretty phenomenal.

"It's a lot of fun, and it's pretty unique."

Lee Wood of La Costa said he has been playing in the tournament
for 27 years with Carlsbad's Peter Trent on La Costa Chiropractic,
and he has no intention of stopping.

"It's become a brotherhood," said Wood. "We come out here to
play, but all the sponsors benefit. It's a win-win for
everybody."

Ivan Rakovic and Zeljko Jovanic won the men's
beginner/intermediate division, Jeff Jardine and Annie Cunningham
won the coed division and Katie Underwood and Patty Peter won the
women's open.